People living in Bristol have hit out about the changing of a street sign which appears to rename Colston Road in honour of the four people found not guilty earlier this year. Colston Road in Easton has been given the new name Colston Four road although it has not been confirmed whether or not the name change is official.
Other locations in Bristol bearing the name of Edward Colston have had their monikers altered recently as institutions try to distance themselves from the slave trader. His company was responsible for the deaths of 84,000 African men, women and children and is now being re-thought by many Bristolians.
The road in Easton appears designed to honour the four people who were cleared of all charges of toppling the controversial statue before dumping it in the harbour. However, many locals have been outraged by the name change.
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Rhian Graham, 30, Milo Ponsford, 26, Sage Willoughby 22 and Jake Skuse, 33, known as the so-called Colston Four, were charged with criminal damage in relation to the toppling of the state and dumping it in the harbour. Following an 11-day trial at Bristol Crown Court, it was decided that they would be acquitted of criminal damage.
Just over a month later and Colston Road in Easton has been renamed to honour the four of them for their part in the toppling of the statue. However, the responses amongst Bristolians on our Bristol Live Facebook page has been far from approving of it.
Irene Dickenson said: "Why are we honouring vandals with a street sign?" while Tim Kelly added: "You have got to be kidding? They should be locked up for criminal damage, not celebrated!"
Donna Bradshaw tried to make sense of the situation and said: "You can not damage property that doesn't belong to you and why use the name Colston, when all other references to Colston are being removed."
Trianna Anne Piasecka also doesn't agree with the renaming and added: "Amazing if I kick a shop window in because I didn't like what was on the other side, not only do I get away with it I then get a road named after me. Perfect!!!!"
More people disagreed with Avril Ferris simply saying: "You're having a laugh" while Charles Price added: "It's Colston Road and always will be."
Some people did agree with the name change though, Mark Edwards in particular said: "The Colston Four are an important part of the city’s history and should be remembered."
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